Target Walleyes – a Great Tasting Treat
A reader asks: “I remember the days on Utah Lake when we could catch walleyes almost every night in the early spring. We love to eat walleyes but where can I go nowadays to be sure to have a chance at catching some? And, is it even worth it to try for walleyes?”
First, there are still plenty of anglers that target walleyes in the spring on Utah Lake. My boys and I caught several 2- to 6-pounders in the Provo River last spring. However, no, the days when warm water was pumped into lake from Geneva Steel are gone, never to return. So, I understand your plight. Where can one go to get back to those days of yore when savvy anglers could fill their freezers with great-tasting walleyes almost like clockwork?
The answer has a few components. First, there are more reservoirs that support robust walleye populations now than ever before. Deer Creek and Starvation are just two of perhaps a dozen located from Salina and then to the north and east. The key to understanding these “new” fisheries (in my opinion) is not to focus on the spawn, as we all did and some still do on Utah Lake. I find that walleyes become more active after the spawn when water temperatures reach into the high 50s and 60s.
Yes, walleyes can be targeted during the annual spawn but you must be a gifted and dedicated angler to locate spawning areas, be there under the right conditions, and catch the fish on their nests without resorting to the illegal method of snagging such fish.
Though I catch walleyes on Deer Creek and in the Provo River on occasion, I much prefer two other reservoirs that are more predictable and quite frankly, are more prolific walleye fisheries than most others in the state.
Starvation Reservoir
Located a couple of hours east of Provo near Duchesne, Utah, Starvation Reservoir is home to a terrific walleye population eager and waiting to bite. As stated above, I really don’t start looking for walleyes until the water temperature reaches the high 50s or low 60s. That means, June is my best month each year. (This is not to say other months can’t be just as promising, but I LOVE the month of June for Starvation walleyes).
My initial lures and baits are drop shots (I only fish for walleyes from a boat). I first locate the walleyes on my fish finder in the water column between 16 and 30 feet. Then, I drop a 4-inch purple, green, or pink, worm connected to a drop shot weight (on the bottom) and threaded on a drop shot hook 18 inches above the weight.
There are times that 20-fish days are not uncommon with the average walleye ranging from 10 to 18 inches in length.
Lake Powell
By far the best and most prolific walleye fishery in the state (again my opinion only) is Lake Powell. I literally catch walleye (my mistake most times) 12 months a year. There is no daily limit on walleyes and I have seen anglers bring over 50 walleyes to the fish cleaning station at Bullfrog Marina.
In the winter (right now) I spoon for walleyes using a ½-ounce variety (P-line is my favorite) and I continue spooning right through June. Then, a drop shot (the same as in Starvation) or a ¼-ounce single tail grub in chartreuse, brown or white works much better on larger fish.
At that time, from July through October, I look for long points than eventually reach 32 feet of depth. Walleyes roam up and down such points but really enjoy sitting in open water just off the edges. I make long casts. And “pop” my grubs a time or two while reeling.
Walleyes make incredible table fare and are active feeders most of the year. If none of “my” methods of catching these fish appeals to you, just email me at don@donallphin.com for more tips and concepts. Good Luck!
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